Event Details

From Olympic medals to unforgettable moments for seriously ill children, Barrie Wells MBE has changed countless lives through his entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropy.

Join us for an inspiring evening with Barrie Wells MBE — entrepreneur, philanthropist, founder of the Barrie Wells Trust, and Leader in Residence at Lancaster University Management School.

Barrie is a successful entrepreneur, world-travelling Olympic supporter and one of the UK’s most generous philanthropists. Raised in Liverpool, he built and sold two groundbreaking insurance businesses — Prospero Direct (AXA Direct) and Premierline Direct (sold to Allianz) — before dedicating his energy and resources to supporting elite British athletes and seriously ill children.

Through the Barrie Wells Trust, Barrie personally funded 20 Team GB medal contenders ahead of the London 2012 Olympics, including Keely Hodgkinson,Jessica Ennis-Hill, Beth Tweddle, and Katarina Johnson-Thompson. He went on to create the Athletes4Schools programme, inspiring more than 35,000 children nationwide, and has supported athletes worldwide in their training and competitions.

He is also the visionary behind Box4Kids, which transforms executive boxes at major sporting and entertainment venues into unforgettable VIP experiences for seriously ill and disabled children. The scheme is now supported by over 200 companies, clubs and venues — from Premier League football stadiums to the O2 Arena — giving thousands of children and their families memories to treasure.

Barrie’s impact has been recognised with an MBE (2020), an honorary doctorate, a Points of Light Award from the Prime Minister, and a Chairman’s Award at the British Sports Journalism Awards 2022. His story has been featured in The Times and continues to inspire globally, with regular lectures to MBA audiences in New York, Singapore, Trieste, Gdansk, Taipei, and beyond.

At Lancaster, he remains a valued Leader in Residence, sharing his journey of problem solving, creativity, disruption, energy, and a deep commitment to giving back in his own lifetime.

Registration: 5.15pm - 5.55pm

Presentation with Q&A: 6.00pm - 7.30pm

Don’t miss this chance to hear from a true changemaker — an evening to leave you inspired about business, sport, and the power of giving back.